Multiple cutter disk bit



Nov. 11, 1930. I. c. BELL MULTIPLE CUTTER DISK BIT Original Filed Nov.12, 1924 5 Sheet-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Nov. 11, 1930. I". c. BELL RE. 17,856

MULTIPLE CUTTER DISK BIT Original Filed Nov. 12, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR.

I ATTORNEY. V

No). 11, 1930. v I. c. BELL Re. 17,856

MULTIPLE CUTTER DISK BIT Original Filed Nov. 12, 1924 s Sheets-Sheet sINVENTOR.

d ATTORNEY.

Reissued Nov. 11, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE IVAN" O. BELL, OFDALLAS, TEXAS, ASSIGNOR TO THE GUIBERSON CORPORATION, OF DALLAS, TEXAS,A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE MULTTPLE-CUTTER-DI SK BIT Original R0.1,657,604, dated January 81, 1928, Serial m5. 749,547, filed November12, 1924. .Application for reissue filed May 7, 1929. Serial No.361,227.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in multiple cutterdisk-bits.

The object of the invention is to provide a drill bit for rotary welldrilling which will cut or drill through various formations such asrock, both hard and soft, shale, gumbo and other strata, at acomparatively high rate of speed, due to a plurality ofpeculiarlyarranged rolling cutter disks, and which will make more hole in a givenlength of time.

than those drill bits now in common use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bit having a pluralityof rollin cutter disks so loosely mounted as to Wob le or oscillate, ormounted to shift laterally on their supports; whereby said disks notonly out or drill more efiiciently but are self-sharpening while rollingand cutting, thus con-' stantly performin at maximum efiiciency; andfurther where y grease and oil lubrication is eliminated and the disksare also made non-clogging.

Another object is to arrange the disks in stepped order on oppositesides of the center of the drill, the disks preferably increasing indiameter outwardly, whereby the bottom of the hole is crowned, whichcauses the drill to be self-centering and'thi s makesfor straightdrilling. i

A still further object of the invention is to provide a multiple diskdrill whichmay be constructed in a sturdy and strong manner as well aseconomically and which will have a long lifeas compared with'the bitsnow in use.

A particular object is to proyide a head of such design that it willprovide amplified bearings for the disks and an efiicient arrangement ofwater passages. One of the improved features resides in the provision ofremovable and replaceable supports for the axles so that the cutters maybe replaced when-Worn.

Another improvement is to provide replaceable portions on opposite sidesof the bit at the points under-going the-greatest wear. 0

A still further improvement resldes 1n 1nwardly movable cutter diskshaving ample lay to shift laterally and reduce the diameter of the bitsuificiently to pass through a casing and then shift outwardly tounderream the casing.

Another improvement is to mount a pair of cutter disks in the same yokeand loosely upon the axle and properly spaced apart,

whereby wobbling and self-sharpening disks A construction designed toillustratethe invention together with novel features involved thereinwill be hereinafter more particularly described. I I

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings,in which examples are shown and wherein: r j

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a bit constructed in accordance with myinvention,

Figure 2 is a side elevation, of the same,

, Figure 3 is an underside view,

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line H of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken on the line 55ofFigure 8,

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional View on the line 66 of Figure 3,

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 77 of F igure'2,

Figure 8 is a plan view, a

Figure 9 is an elevation of a' modified form of the bit,

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 1010 of Figure 9,

Figure 11 is an elevation ofanothe'r form of bit structure, and

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 1212 of Figure 11.y

This application is in part a continuation of my former applicationfiled May 31st, 1924, Serial No. 716,970. In the drawings the numeral 10designates a bit body or-stock having a reduced tapered pin 11 or anyother drill stem connection at its upper end. The pin is surrounded byan outwardly directed shoulder 12. The upper portion of the stock iscylindrical, although-- this is merely a preferred design. A web ortongue 13 is provided at the bottom of the stock and extendsdiametrically of the same.

I The verticaledges of the web are curved or offset relation to eachother parallel to the web. The'standards arespa'ced from the web.Complementary to the standards: and

spaced therefrom and cheek plates or wings 15 having shanks 16 atthe1r"'u -ppe r ends. The stock has shouldered flat seatsTlZ on eachside (Figure 7) for receiving the-shanks which have their outer surfacesshaped to conform to the contour of the stock. lower portions of theplates are offset out wardly and sustain the wear when'the bit isrotated. 1

Each plate has a vertical central key 18 on the inner side or face ofits shank fitting in a keyway 19 in the seat 17. The key and key-way maybe dove-tailed or as is shown in Figs. 9 and 10 they may be rightangular as at 18' and 19.- The ke s prevent displacement of the platesan take the shearing strain of the latter.

It is obvious that the plates may be attached in any suitable manner..The shanks are preferably fastened, each by a screw 20 entering thestock radially. However the plates mayassume any desirable form and maybe fastened to the stock in any suitable manner. For instance in Figures11 and 12' the key is omitted and a second screw 21 is added forfastening the plate in place.

The lower portion of each plate is flared to conform to itscomplementary standard 14 and supports the outer end of an axle 22. Eachaxle passes through the adjacent standard and has its inner end reducedand resting in the aperture 23 in the web. The reduce end of each axlehas a circumferential groove 24. The shouldered end of the axle abutsthe flat side of the web. Each axle may have its outer end or head 25screw-threaded to engage in a screw-threaded aperture in the lower endof the plate, or it may be fastened in any other suitable manner. Thehead when screw-threaded is provided with a kerf 26 for a screw driveror other tool. web 13 has a longitudinal bore 27 intersecting thebottoms of the apertures 23 to receive a pin 28 which engages in thegrooves 24, and

locks the axles in place. The pin may be suitably fastened as by cotterkeys 27 passing through the end. The dominating fea; ture of theinvention is a plurality of cutter disks loosely mounted on the axles soas to undergo lateral or radial movement rela- The tively of the'bitstock as well as vertical or .7 plane substantially parallel to thevertical axis of the body 10 to a plane at an angle to said axis. f

Such a mounting of the disks has man advantages. For instance they areselfsharpening and readily roll, thus securing traction and obviatingperipheral roughening or fluting. They do not need grease or oillubrication and will not clog up. In the drawings I have shown threedisks 29, 30' and 31and respectively, mounted on each axle.

Theouter disk 29fof each axle assembly is thelargest, but is not aslarge as the disks usually employed on disk bits for boring the samediameter of hole.- In fact better results ave been obtained by thesmaller disks, but

the size and number of disks is subject to variation.

Each disk 29 is' mounted on the axle between the standard 14.and thecheek plate 15 and is thickest at its hub portion; bein re-v duced orinclined on one side towar outer edge which is bevelled in the oppositedirection, so as to flare from the plate; The space between each plateand its complementary standard is considerably greater than thethickness of the disk 29. Thispermits the disk to move laterally on itsaxle or radially of the bit on the axle. The disk has a central aperture29 larger than the diameter of the axle, whereby the disk may moveradially of the axle and may deflect or tilt from it's normal verticalplane while rotating, thus wobbling or canting on its axle.

Between the web 13 and each standard 14 the disks 30 and 31 are mounted.The disk 1 30 has a central aperture 30' and is otherwise but this issubject to variation. The thickened hub and inclined side of the disk 30spaces the surfaces apart. The disk 31 has an enlarged central aperture31. The disks 30 and 31 have ample play along the axle between theweband standard. By mounting the disks 30 and 31 as described theyare'disposed close to the center of the bit and thus out within ashorter radius than if they were separated by a support therebetween.

A well 32 is bored axially in' the pin 11 and stock 10. Water ducts 33are counterbored from thebottom of the well through the stock (Figure 3)so as todischarge between the web and standards over the disks 30 and31. Additional ducts 34 are counterbored through the stock and cheekplates to discharge over the disks 29. It will be seen that the disksYrs its

are copiously supplied with water or slush and are adequately washed.

Suflicient use of this bit has been made to demonstrate its advantagesand to establish it as a continuous drillin tool. The radially orlaterally movable anfwobbling disks cut through rock, shale and sand aswell as they do through gumbo and other formations. Due to the wobblingof the disks and the adequate washing, nothing lodges between the whenthe bit is rotated. The disks increasing in diameter outwardly of thebit will cause a slight crown on the bottom of the hole, thus centeringthe bit and making a straight hole.

It will be clearly seen that the wear will be sustained by the disks andthe cheek plates 15, the stock being thus protected. When the plates anddisks are worn so as to be inefiicient, the screws 20 and the pin 28 areremoved and the axles 22 are unscrewed; whereby the disks may be takenout. After the axles are removed the cheek plates 15 may be removed.These parts may be replaced at a small cost.

As before stated the bores of the disks are made larger than thediameters of the axles, so that instead of having merely a turning fitandthe play usually present, the clearance or play between the ournal ofeach disk and its axle is such as to initially give the disk at i veryloose fit and a lateral or vertical movement-or both, relative to theaxle, This results in an amplified wobble, oscillation or shifting ofthe disk which is most prominent at its periphery and also causes thedisk to rotate freely. The disk thus becomes self sharpening and thissharpening is enhanced by the shearing action of the edge of the disk,due to wobble, oscillation or shift. The amplified movement not onlymakes for sharpening and the retaining of the circular edge, but causesfaster cutting due to the shearing action. j

In further explanation, it may be stated after numerous tests by actualdrilling, that the disks traversing circuitous or sinuous paths ratherthan regular circular paths and being under the downward pressure of thesuperimposed drill stem, not only cover a greater transverse area intheir travel by peripheral contact with the bottom of the hole, but havea very effective self-sharpening action, due to the wobble, the lead oroffset of the disks from the, transverse axis of the bit body and theweight placed upon the disks.

It is obvious that such disks will tend to chip off the rock and shaleand will out faster by keeping a sharp edge.

Comparison may. be made with a lathe tool. If a piece of tool steel forinstance was placed in a lathe tool holder and fed against a piece ofwork, in time, due to wear, the tool would develop a sharp edge on itsupper face, but the whole end face of the tool would be in contact withthe work, it would therefore do very little cutting; however, if the endface of the tool was cut back at an angle from the cutting edge, thenthe tool would out fast and properly.

This same condition applies to a revolving cutting disk, and more so ifthe disk fails to revolve, because if the vertical plane of the disk isheld true andat a constant distance from the center or vertical axis ofthe rotating bit, the cutting edge or periphcry of the disk willnaturally wear, but the whole cross area of the disk periphery will bein contact, at the cutting arc, with the formation; thus wearing so flator so near a right angle to the side of the disk, as 110tto do muchcutting. However, if the disk is mounted free enough to easily revolveand so that its periphery will shift transversely across its cuttingare, there will be a much greater wearing across the area of theperiphery. By this the disk will be worn to a more acute angle back fromits cutting edge and the same relief or wear at the heel of the cuttingface, will be had as is given to a lathe tool.

While the wobbling action presents certain advantages in the specificdevelopment of the invention, the relative location of the disks and themounting of disks at the center and outer portions is equally asimportant.

By maintaining a sharp cutting edge, by traversing a greater path and bymoving transversely of its cutting are, the disk cuts faster. continuousdrilling bit which goes through hard as well as soft formations withoutchanging bits, whereas it has been necessary heretofore to come out ofthe hole and change bits because of the hard and soft formations, is ofgreat advantage, as will be appreciated by the driller. The offsettingof the axles with relation to the transverse axis of the bit is veryimportant as this gives the disks a drag and adds to their cuttingaction. The central disks are also very effective in cutting out thecore. Such cutting action is due to the relation of the axles to the,axis of the bit and'the disposition of the rotating disks upon theaxles, so that a wobbling or lateral movement of the disk is notrequired, and they may be otherwise mounted on'the axles. v

Variouschanges in the size and shape of the different parts, as well asmodifications in oflI'set relation, cutter disks initially looselymounted on said axles and movable laterally-and also in a verticalplane, and supports for the outer ends ,of the axles.

3. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit body, a plurality of cutterdisks initially mounted to wobble when the bit is rotated, and cheekmembers confining the disks and taking the wear off the bit body, v

4. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit body, a plurality of freelyrotatable disks mounted on the body with their peripheries initiallyhaving an amplified transverse movement a relatively of their arcs ofcutting contact,

and outer wear members confining the disks and fastened to the body. 15. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a stock, Wear members on each side ofthe stock, transverse axles carried by the stock and the bit, and apluralit of cutter disks. initially mounted to wobb e on said axlesbetween said wear-members.

6. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a stock having a drill connection atits upper end,

supports depending from the lower end of the stock, the outer supportsbeing remov-v able, axles carried'by the supports, and cutter disks"loosely mounted on the axles between the supports, said disks having ahubthickness less than the s aces between the supports, whereby said diss are free to shift laterally at their peripheries and areselfsharpening.

7. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit stock, supports at the lower endof the stock wear members at the 'outer sides of the stock, axlescarried by the supports and members, cutter disks initially looselymounted on the axles so as to wobble, and water ducts extendingtihrlgpgh the stock and discharging over the 8.. In a multiple cutterdisk bit, a bit stock having diametrically opposite seats, cheek plateshaving shanks, means for fastening the shanksof the plates to the seats,supports depending from the bottom of the stock and spaced apart betweenthe plates, axles secured in the Supports and p ates, and a plurality ofcutter isks initially loosely mounted on the axles andmovable laterallyand vertically. I

9. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a cylindrical 'bit stock havingdiametrically opposite seats, a' transver'seweb at thebottom of thestock, cheek plates fitting on the seats, standards between the web andplates, axles passinv through the standards and having one end in theweb and the outer ends in the plates, means for fastening the axles inthe the stock, cheek plates fitting on the seats,

standards between the Web and plates, axles passing through thestandards and having one end in the Web and the outer ends in theplates, means for fastening the axles in the web, and a plurality ofcutter disks mounted loosely to wobble on the axles between the web andstandards and between the standards and the plates, the outermost disksbeing of greater diameter and movable inwardly to reduce the diameter ofthe bit.

' 11. In a multiple cutter disk bit, the combination with a bit bodyhaving spaced supports and a transverse axle extending between saidsupports, of a cutter disk mounted on said axle between said supportsand having a central aperture larger than said axle so as to movetransversely of the axle, said disk being considerably less in thicknessthan the'space-between the supports so as to move longitudinally of theaxle, said disk having one side, inclined and its cutting edge bevelled.

12. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit body,

axles mounted transversely of the body in ofiset relation, cutter disksloosely mounted on said axles and movable laterally and in a verticalplane, removable supports for the outer ends of the axles, and waterducts extending through the bit body and discharging over the disks.

13. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit body, a pluralit of cutterdisks initially mounted to wobble w en the bit is rotated, cheek membersconfining the disks and taking the wear of the bit body, and water ductsextending through the bit body and discharging over the disks.

14. Ina multiple cutter disk bit, a stock having a central water well, atool connection at the top of the stock, vertical seats on oppositesides of the stockhaving keyways therein, cheek plates provided withshanks flttin on the seats and having keys fitting in the e ways, a webde ending from the center of t e stock, standar s in spaced relationbetween the web and the plates,-ofiset axles extending through thestandards and engaging in the web and. plates, means for fastening theplatesto the stock, and-cutter disks mounted on the axles free to'movelaterally and vertically between the web and supports and between the15. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit body, and a plurality ofrolling cutter disks initially loosely mounted on the body and movablewhen rotating from a plane substantially parallel to the vertical axisof the bit body into a plane at an angle to the said axis.

16. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit body, axles mountedtransversely of the body in ofl'set relation, cutter disks having theircircumferential surfaces reduced to cutting ed es and mounted on theaxles initially with suicient play to wobble and become selfsharpeningwhen rotating, and supports-for the outer ends of the axles.

, 17. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit body, axles mountedtransversely of the body in ofi'- set relation, cutter disks havingtheir circumferential surfaces reduced to cutting edges and. mounted onthe axles initially with sufiicient play to wobble and becomeself-sharpening when rotating, supports for the outer ends of the axles,and means for removably secur- 'ing the inner ends of the axles inplace.

18. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a body, a central depending supportcarried by the body, outer depending supports carried by thebody'relatively on each side of the central support, and rotatablecutter disks journaled on each side of the central support and betweenthe latter and the outer supports, said disks being mounted initiallywith sufiicient play at their journals to wobble while rotating and tobe self-sharpening.

19. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit stock, supports at the lowerend of the stock, axles carried by the supports, cutter disks mountedand maintained uprightly on the axles and initially free to movelaterally on said axles while revolving, and water ducts extendingthrlough the stock and discharging over the dis is;

20. In a multiple disk drill bit, a head, and a plurality of cutterdisks rotatable in the head and initially mounted to wobble relativelyof their supports, while rotating.

21. In a multiple disk, drill bit, a head, and a plurality of rotatablecutter disks, said outter disks being mounted and maintained uprightlyand having peripheral faces and initially mounted to move'laterally withrespect 4 to the head, whereby said faces are sharpened while operating.

22. In a multiple disk drill bit, a head, a central transverse web onthe under part of the head, axles extending from opposite sides of theweb, and a plurality of rotatable cutter disks mounted and maintaineduprightly on said axles and initially free to move laterally.

23. In a multiple disk drill bit, a head, a central transverse web onthe under part of the head, axles extending from opposite sides "mountedon said axles and initially free to well as to rotate in said slots.

25. In a multiple disk drill bit, a head, and a plurality of rotatablecutter disks on each side of the center of the head mounted to initiallyoscillate in the head while rotating and each decreasing successively indiameter inwardly toward the center of the head.

26. In a multiple disk drill bit, a head, a plurality of looselyjournaled upright cutter disks free to move laterally of their supportsto reduce the diameter of the bit and free to move laterally of the headoutwardly to increase the diameter of the bit.

27. Ina multiple disk bit, a bit body, a pair of rolling upright cuttersmounted on opposite sides of the transverse axis of the body and at thecentral portion of the body, and a second pair of rolling uprightcutters also mounted on opposite sides of the transverse axis of thebody and outwardly of the first named cutters, the outer cuttersdepending lower than the inner cutters, all cutters being located at thebottom of the bit body, all of said cutters being initially mounted toshift laterally at their peripheries.

28. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a body, a central support dependingfrom the body, axles extending from opposite sides of said centralsupport and on opposite sides of the transverse axis of the body, outersupports carrying the ends of said axles, and a pair of rolling cuttersmounted on each axle, one adjacent the center support and one adjacentthe outer support, all of said cutters being journaled on their axlesinitially with sufficient play and loose enough to Wobble when rotating.

29. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a stock having a drill connection atits upper end, supports depending from the lowerendpf, the stock, axlescarried by the supports, and cutter disks loosely mounted on the axlesbe-' tween the supports, said disks having a hub-, thickness less thanthe spaces between thesupports, whereby said disks are free to shiftlaterally at their peripheries and are selfsharpening.

30. In a multiple cutter disk bit, a bit stock, supports at the lowerend of the stock, axles carried by the supports, cutter disks mountedand maintained uprightly on the axles and initially free to rock on saidaxles while revolving.' 1

31. In an earth boring disk bit, a bit body, depending supports carriedby the body, axles carried by said supports on opposite sides of, atransverse axis passing through said supports, so that when said bit isrotated both axles will be at all times through the bit body adaptedtodischarge in advance of said axis, two disks being liquid upon thecutters intermedlate the supjournaled on each axle, one of said disks beP i ing at the center of the body for cutting In testlmony whereofIafiixm slgnatureout the. center of the hole and the other IVAN BELL. 70

disk on the same axle being spaced outwardly a substantial distance fromthe inner disk andlocated to cut the marginal portion of the hole,- theouter disks being free from 10 contact with other disks at all points of75,

their peripheries, the body above the disks being vertically elongatedand containing.

ducts for supplying drilling fluid to the disks, all of the disksunderlying the body.

32. In a multiple cutter disk bit, the 80 combination with a bit bodyhaving spaced supports and a transverse axle extending between saidsupports, of a plurality of cut-- ter disks having cutting edges andinitially freelymounted on said axle to permit axial S5 movement of thecutting edges sufiicient to efi'ect self-sharpening thereof by contactwith the material acted upon and a1 sowhereby said disks are free to cutlaterally. at their cutting edges.

33. In a mult ple cutter disk bit. a bit body extending axially of thebit, a plurality of depending supports carried by the body. one of saidsupports being at the center of the body and intermediate the othersupports,

axles extending from opposite sides of the central support and offsetfrom each other on opposite sides of the transverse axis of the bitbody, the outer ends of said axles v 35 being carried by the outersupports, a plus i rality of cutter disks'mounted on each'axle under thebit body, an inner disk being mounted on each axle in close proximity tothe central support and an outer disk 40 being mounted thereon adjacentthe outer support to rotate in a substantially vertical plane andseparated from the adjacent disk at all points by an intervening s ace.

34. In a multiple cutter disk it, a bit 45 bodyextending axially of thebit, a plurality of depending supports carried by the body, one of saidsupports being at the center of the body and intermediate the I othersupports, axles extending from op- 60 posite sides of the centralsupport and ofiset I from each other on opposite sides of the atransverse axis of the bit body; the outer ends of said axles beingcarried by the outer I supports, a plurality of cutter disks mounted.

on each axle under the bit body, an inner disk being mounted on eachaxle in close proximity to the central support and an outer disk beingmounted thereon adjacent the outersupport to rotate in a substantially60 vertical plane and separated irom the adjacent disk at all points byan intervening ace, the inner disk being of less diameter an the outerdisks. v

35. The combination specified in claim 82, with the addition of ductsextending

